Want to know who the most in-form defenders in the Premier League are at present as we move into the second half of the campaign? Well, not to worry as here, with the help of statistics website www.whoscored.com, we can reveal the identity of the top ten …
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10) Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea): 7.29 average rating
Muscular and versatile Chelsea full back come centre back who rarely puts a foot wrong for the west London club and who as ever has been Mr Consistent at the back for the Blues so far in this campaign.
9) Joel Ward (Crystal Palace): 7.31 average rating
The Eagles’ ever-consistent defender, who can also operate as a holding midfielder as well, has been incredibly reliable for the struggling south-east London outfit to date in the top flight, making 20 appearances and contributing one assist for the team along the way.
8) Curtis Davies (Hull City): 7.31 average rating
The former England Under-21 international has been an absolute rock at the back for Steve Bruce’s newly promoted Tigers this season and one of the main reasons behind the newly promoted side’s surprisingly good defensive record.
7) Patrice Evra (Manchester United): 7.33 average rating
The some-time skipper of the Premier League champions may not have been at his absolute best in this campaign, however, the France international still rarely has a bad game for the Red Devils, as his impressive average rating demonstrates and the left back will be a hard man to replace this summer.
6) Leighton Baines (Everton): 7.35 average rating
Ironically, the man thought most likely to take over from Evra at Old Trafford, with the England international having once again demonstrated just why the he is in such high demand as one of the best left backs not just in the Premier League, but also on the Continent too.
5) Phil Jagielka (Everton): 7.39 average rating
Rock-solid England international who at 31 is now playing the best football of his career, and an absolute cornerstone of Roberto Martinez’s back four based on his eye-catching form at the back for the Toffees to date.
4) Martin Skrtel (Liverpool): 7.39 average rating
Without doubt the shaven-headed Slovakia international is currently having the best campaign of his Reds career, with the centre back having only missed the Merseysiders’ opening two league fixtures of the season in now becoming manager Brendan Rodgers’s first-choice central-defensive pick.
3) Seamus Coleman (Everton): 7.41 average rating
Attack-minded right back that has formed part of a watertight Toffees back line under new boss Roberto Martinez, so much so that the Republic of Ireland international has now been attracting covetous glances from the likes of Premier League champions Manchester United of late.
2) Dejan Lovren (Southampton): 7.41 average rating
Maybe a surprise entry to some, but not to anyone who was watched the in-form Saints in the Premier League this season, where the south coast club have had one of the meanest defences not just in the top flight, but in the whole of Europe too, with the Croatia international’s form at the back playing a large part in that.
1) Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United): 7.47 average rating
Again, the France international’s name may come as a shock to some, but not to those who have kept an eye out on the high-flying Magpies in this campaign where the right back has been the north-east giants’ standout performer at the back.